By Angela Green, Content Executive, H&C News: Valor Hospitality launch chef academy to address hospitality skills shortage.
Valor Hospitality has launched a new Chef Development Academy to encourage more people to embark on a culinary career following a national skills shortage in the sector.
Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic have both had a significant impact on the hospitality industry, resulting in the labour pool being reduced significantly.
In partnership with apprenticeship and training provider for the hospitality industry, Umbrella Training, Valor’s Chef Development Academy will give people on the job training, starting at apprentice level 2, with the opportunity to reach head chef level within five years.
Launching in August 2022, the pilot scheme will include 12 carefully selected hotels from Valor’s UK portfolio, working with brands such as DoubleTree by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza.
While undergoing their training, trainees will be paid an annual salary of £20,000 pa and receive a full starter kit, including chef whites, shoes and their own knife set.
Alongside on-the-job training and 1:1 tutoring, Valor’s apprentice team will also undertake a number of unique, off-site, immersive experiences at locations such as Billingsgate Market and Taste of London, as part of their newly designed Culinary Club.
Valor will also enable their Academy group to compete for quarterly-bonuses linked to those who have demonstrated the greatest development in skills and expertise each quarter. Recognising the importance of retention of their Trainees, Valor is also offering a guaranteed pay increase to a minimum of £22,500 upon completion of the initial 12-month Academy.
Moira Laird, Global HR director at Valor Hospitality, said: “Over the past years, the sector has lost so many skilled workers from hospitality, and this has led to a highly competitive market. Despite the number of jobs in hospitality increasing, the roles being filled are as little as one in ten, due in part to the lack of specialist skills that the candidates have and a responsibility on us all as employers to make hospitality businesses a great place to work and engaging for all our team.
“At Valor, we’ve always been passionate about investing in our people and we wanted to create a programme that would help to attract, develop and retain chefs into our properties, creating a sustainable pipeline of talent. It’s such an interesting sector to be in and the opportunities for growth and career development are endless. Couple that with the growth that Valor is also experiencing, starting a career with us should be an exciting proposition whether you’re looking for a career change or just starting out.”
Valor will begin the recruitment process mid-May with the aim of launching the academy in August.
Valor manages 85 hotels across the globe, with its UK portfolio more than doubling in the past 12 months, taking it to 37 properties.